Jessica Barnes
About Mission Year
Mission Year is a year long urban ministry program focused on Christian service and discipleship. We take teams of young people, place them in an area of need, and help them to serve people and create community. We are committed to the command of Jesus to “love God and love people,” by placing the needs of our neighbors first and developing committed disciples of Christ with a heart for the poor. Learn more about our first year program…
Jessica Barnes's Blog
Psalm 107 / Feb 9, 09:46 AM
Some wandered into desert wastelands,
finding no way to a city where they could settle.
They were hungry and thirsty
and their lives ebbed away.
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
an he delivered them from their distress
He ed them by a straight way
to a city where they could settle.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love!
How beautiful is that? After seeing the Lower 9th Ward and easily comparing it to our Upper 9th neighborhood, its residents to our neighbors, its a beautiful thing to find a parallel in Psalm 107. It’s easy for me to think of stories of people from so long ago wandering around without a home and not knowing where to go, what to do, how to survive. I can imagine it happening today to children in third world countries who I can march and raise awareness for but never see, meet, or talk to. But it’s another thing entirely to know that the people I’ve met in our neighborhood, whose houses I’ve been to for dinner, were in the same situation three years ago. When I was in my first or second year of college being self-absorbed and worrying about grades or parties or whatever it was I was worrying about that week, Sister Lucia’s son was hiding under a stairwell of the Superdome with a pack of crackers and a few bottles of water, afraid to go out into the crowds of people fighting and killing each other in a panic. While I was going back to my dorm for a nap between classes and heading home on the weekends, Miss Kimberly was stuck in St.Bernard, the furthest she could get while the water was filling her city. And while I was going to church in the morning and forgetting the message by the afternoon, many of my neighbors were clinging to their faith and trusting that God would carry them through the storm. They came back without material possessions, but with the assurance that their treasures are in Heaven. God has brought them through in his unfailing love. How beautiful is that?
Comment [1]
Jesus and Gumbo / Dec 9, 02:52 PM
I see Christ everyday at the Broad Street Mission. A few days a week, I volunteer with Miss Erica, a woman who lives in a room above the Mission and serves there full time. Miss Erica moved to New Orleans from Holland after some pretty specific instructions from God.
Miss Erica is in the kitchen, wearing an apron, and humming along to a gospel CD when I get to the Mission.
“Someone stole three of the pots” Miss Erica tells me.
“Who would have stolen the pots?”
“You tell me.”
“Well what do we do?”
“We don’t make food. I can’t make food with people stealing my pots.”
The food is already being cooked and Miss Erica is stirring a pot while she tells me the story. She has lettuce on the table and salad containers waiting to be filled.
“What’s in there?” I ask, looking into the giant pot on the stove.
She tells me it’s leftovers – some jambalaya mix, gumbo mix, rice, vegetables, sausage… It smells amazing. She says that when she has leftovers, she throws it all into a pot and prays and it always ends up tasting great. Nothing is wasted.
“How am I supposed to make them Christmas dinner if they’re going to steal my pots?” I shake my head, unsure of what kind of response, if any, Miss Erica is looking for.
“They need Jesus. They come in thinking they need lunch, but they are needing Jesus. I try to get through to them, but some of them aren’t seeing it.” She looks frustrated and sad. She looks over when I pick up a big knife to cut the lettuce and her expression changes from sad to nervous. Miss Erica is a very intuitive person and knows that nervousness is a valid feeling when I’m holding a sharp object near my clumsy fingers.
“They won’t get a full meal today. If they ask why, I will tell them.” She stirs the huge pot of soup with a canoe paddle-like spoon.
I nod and keep cutting lettuce.
Before lunch is served, Miss Erica goes to the gym where the tables are full of people waiting for lunch. She reads some scripture and tells them that they cannot keep stealing and lying. She tells them that need to change their lives. She tells them that they need to find God. Then, just before they come up to get their soup, salad, and bread…she tells them that Jesus loves and cares for them.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. – Colossians 3:12-13
Everyday at Broad Street Mission, I’m learning. I’m learning about forgiveness, faith, and love. I’m learning about Jesus and how to make a mean batch of gumbo.
Comment [2]
Thankful. / Dec 1, 10:31 AM
During our last city wide, I was challenged. I was hearing stories about my friends being changed by God, making big decisions, and giving. Then I had to confront myself which I’ve been so incredibly afraid of doing. I had to talk to God and myself about what’s been going on, why I’ve been feeling so indifferent. I had been questioning so much and finally I prayed. I prayed that God would give me SOMETHING to make me see Him and to start trusting Him again. I wanted to be broken and I wanted to rely on God’s grace.
I got my answer the next morning when my mom called to tell me that my dad had died early that morning. I cried, I prayed, I went through every emotion in the book. And then I packed a bag. I had to go home for my dad’s funeral last weekend.
It’s been over seven years since I’ve seen or heard from my dad and while I sat on a plane going to Pittsburgh, I was so angry at myself for not making an effort to get in touch with him in so long. God has been working on my heart this week. He’s been showing me what’s really important and that I can’t ignore a call to love. We’re called to love one another. That includes everyone we meet and we can’t overlook those that are closest to us. I’ve been challenged to stop holding grudges, harboring anger and hurt feelings. I’ve been challenged to love. Unconditionally.
I’m hurting. I’m mourning. I’m broken. And I know that I’m not going through any of it alone. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone that has been with me while I’ve been angry, confused, sad, and while I haven’t been able to do anything but cry.
The past two weeks have been a blur, but through it all – the phone calls, the funeral, the flights, the crying, the conversations…God has been beside me, giving me peace and showing me grace. For that, I’m completely thankful.
Fast Times at Carver High / Oct 23, 07:35 AM
Theme Music: Hanson’s MMMBop (much to the dismay of my roommates :))
Current Praise: Being background check approved & cleared to be in the high school!
After waiting a few weeks for paperwork to be processed, we were finally cleared to start volunteering at Carver High School. I was excited to get into an English classroom and meet the 11th and 12th graders I’ll be working with. The night before, I thought back to my own junior and senior years and remembered how happy I was to fill out college applications, write admissions essays, and get ready for college. I remembered all the fun times hanging out with friends, going on trips, and staying after school to study for our Academic Decathlon competitions. I remembered how much I loved learning and socializing. Basically, I remembered all of the good and chose to forget about all of the bad. Becky and I had our first day at Carver yesterday and the minute we walked into the office, there was a huge reminder of the bad. It was time for the bane of the existance of high school students everywhere: standardized testing.
The teacher I’ll be helping out had students testing in her room all day so I followed the guidance counselor around instead. We went to an 8th grade classroom and had the students take a skills and interests inventory. By not actually calling this a test, I think the counselors were attempting to avoid the complaints of students (due to the complete agony that all tests deserve). That plan failed. Some of the kids refused to take the test altogether, others answered a few questions then put their heads down. After a few grumbles, a couple of curses, and a lot of questions about how important the test really was and whether it really was mandatory, most of the students reluctantly got out their number 2 pencils and took the test. After helping one student with a few of the questions in the English section, the guidance counselor told me that many of the students are several grades behind and have elementary level reading skills. They were frustrated, that was easy to see.
After the testing period, I went back to the guidance office and spent the rest of my day helping with paperwork, talking to the counselors, and meeting students that came into the office. It was hard to see some of them on the verge of just giving up on school all together. There were students at the age where they should be thinking about graduation but they were struggling to get through the 9th grade. Some were living on their own or just getting back with their families from Hurricane Katrina. Others were more concerned about taking care of children than taking care of homework. I met a girl at the end of the day who had just gotten back to school after having her second baby. She wants to graduate and become a nurse, but more importantly, she wants to be able to take care of her kids. Carver High School is a long way from North Clarion.
I wish there was a way to reach out to every single one of the students to encourage them and let them know that they’re completely capable of making the effort and doing everything they want to do. Tomorrow I’m meeting with the guidance counselor again to talk about starting a program for some of the girls about having respect for themselves and each other. I’m excited to meet with the girls, learn about what they’re struggling with, and help them become role models rather than statistics.
Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for other believers in your speech, behavior, love, faithfulness, and purity. -1Timothy 4:12
Expectations / Oct 1, 02:26 PM
I can’t even count how many times at Mission Year orientation we heard the phrase “don’t have expectations.” During devotionals one morning, we wrote down all of our expectations for the year on index cards, then tore them up and threw them on the ground. Speakers, Mission Year alumni, and city directors told us that we might not end up at the service sites we thought we would, we might not have the perfect community living situations, we might disagree with our roommates, and the neighborhood might not look the way we had imagined. They also told us that by eliminating all of these expectations we had created, we would be able to make room for God to carry out his plans for us. We’ve been reminded over and over that this year isn’t about any of us, it’s about God and we’re just a part of his plan for our communities.
Since getting to New Orleans a few weeks ago (finally, after so much confusion and change of plans) nearly all of my expectations have been destroyed (in the best way possible!) I was expecting a community full of people and organizations rebuilding the city. Instead, we found houses still destroyed from Hurricane Katrina three years ago, most without hope of being rebuilt. I was expecting people in the area to be as passionate about social justice as I am. Instead, we found that most of the organizations dedicated to serving the community are closed down and boarded up. I was frustrated at first and disappointed by the lack of…everything in the neighborhood. Then we started walking through the community and really looking for neighbors and activity. We might have to search for relationships to build and areas to serve, but I feel like in the end, it’ll definitely be well worth the effort.
All of that is to say, we’re finally here! We’re moved in and becoming a part of the neighborhood and it feels so great to have a place to call home for the year. We’ve gone to events at our church and spent some time with neighborhood kids in the park. Now we’re getting ready to start at service sites and really get involved in the community. I’m so excited to share the experience with all of you!
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”
-Proverbs 16:9
Comment [2]
- 1
